arXiv subjects

James P. Sethna

Publications and source records attributed to James P. Sethna.

151 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

arXiv1993

Hysteresis Loop Critical Exponents in 6-Epsilon Dimensions

The hysteresis loop in the zero-temperature random-field Ising model exhibits a critical point as the width of the disorder increases. Above six dimensions, the critical exponents of this transition, where the "infinite avalanche" first disappears, are described by mean-field theory. We expand the critical exponents about mean-field theory, in 6-epsilon dimensions, to first order in epsilon. Despite epsilon=3, the values obtained agree reasonably well with the numerical values in three dimensions.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1992

Hysteresis and hierarchies: dynamics of disorder-driven first-order phase transformations

We use the zero-temperature random-field Ising model to study hysteretic behavior at first-order phase transitions. Sweeping the external field through zero, the model exhibits hysteresis, the return-point memory effect, and avalanche fluctuations. There is a critical value of disorder at which a jump in the magnetization (corresponding to an infinite avalanche) first occurs. We study the universal behavior at this critical point using mean-field theory, and also present preliminary results of numerical simulations in three dimensions.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1992

Melting a copper cluster: Critical droplet theory

We simulate the melting of a 71 A diameter cluster of Cu. At low temperatures the crystal exhibits facets. With increasing temperatures the open facets pre-melt, the melted regions coalesce into a liquid envelope containing a crystalline nucleus, and the nucleus finally goes unstable to the supercooled liquid. Using critical droplet theory and experimental data for Cu, we explain the thermodynamics of the coexistence region. The width of the transition scales as (Number of particles) to the power (-1/4).

cond-mat↗

arXiv1992

Logarithmically slow domain growth in nonrandomly frustrated systems--- A summary of the major results

Here, we summarize the most important results of our study of logarithmically slow growth of domains following a quench in two models without randomness in their Hamiltonians. This is a slightly updated version of a paper to appear in the Proceedings of the 1st Annual Tohwa University International Symposium, Fukuoka, Japan (American Institute of Physics, 1992). It is meant to serve as a brief summary of cond-mat/9204015 for those who do not wish to read all the details contained therein (and don't want to hassle with 2 MBytes of tex/ps files).

cond-mat↗

arXiv1992

Logarithmically slow domain growth in nonrandomly frustrated systems: Ising models with competing interactions

It is known that in systems which contain randomness explicitly in their Hamiltonians (e.g., due to impurities), the characteristic size L of the ordered domains can grow only logarithmically with time t following a quench below the transition temperature. However, in systems without such imposed randomness, much faster power law growth has generally been predicted. Motivated by the slow dynamics present in glasses, we have been looking for counterexamples, i.e., for models without randomness which nonetheless order logarithmically slowly. Here, we discuss two closely related models for which we have simple physical arguments that such slow growth occurs. The basis of these arguments is the claim that the free energy barriers to domain growth in these models are proportional to L. Thus, the barriers grow as the domains coarsen. We present the results of Monte Carlo simulations, which lend strong support to our claims of growing barriers and logarithmically slow dynamics. Finally, we discuss how quickly the system orders when it is cooled continuously through the transition (rather than quenched).

cond-mat↗

arXiv1992

Beyond the ``principle of local symmetry'': derivation of a general crack propagation law

We derive a general crack propagation law for slow brittle cracking, in two and three dimensions, using symmetry, gauge invariance, and gradient expansions. Our derivation provides explicit justification for the ``principle of local symmetry,'' which has been used extensively to describe two dimensional crack growth, but goes beyond that principle to describe three dimensional crack phenomena as well. We also find that there are new materials properties needed to describe the growth of general cracks in three dimensions, besides the fracture toughness and elastic constants previously used to describe cracking.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1992

Tweed in Martensites: A Potential New Spin Glass

We've been studying the ``tweed'' precursors above the martensitic transition in shape--memory alloys. These characteristic cross--hatched modulations occur for hundreds of degrees above the first--order shape--changing transition. Our two--dimensional model for this transition, in the limit of infinite elastic anisotropy, can be mapped onto a spin--glass Hamiltonian in a random field. We suggest that the tweed precursors are a direct analogy of the spin--glass phase. The tweed is intermediate between the high--temperature cubic phase and the low--temperature martensitic phase in the same way as the spin--glass phase can be intermediate between ferromagnet and antiferromagnet.

cond-mat↗